Travel Australia Daly Waters to Cloncurry

 

DAY TWO

Today, we embark on another day of driving through the vast Australian Outback. Our journey takes us from Daly Waters in the Northern Territory to Cloncurry in Queensland. We are all packed and excited for another adventure!

Travelling over 11,000 kilometres will take approximately 13 hours, including some pit stops. Thankfully, the Northern Territory has a speed limit of 130 km/h.

Last night, we stayed at the Daly Waters Highway Inn, which has a pet-friendly policy. The sunrise over the trees in Daly Waters was spectacular. Our dog settled in and enjoyed the evening and morning walk.

The Stuart Highway is the main road in the Northern Territory, stretching for a long distance where road trains frequently travel. These enormous trucks, which can pull multiple trailers, are impressive to see. Along the highway, there are plenty of long straight strips and overtaking lanes, allowing us to overtake large vehicles at speeds not allowed elswhere in Australia.

Passing a road train in the Northern Territory is quite an experience. It’s important to be patient and to find a long, clear stretch of road. You need to have enough power in your vehicle and the determination to accelerate to a necessary speed. Visibility is crucial, so ensure you have sufficient time to pass safely, as these trains can be very long. The roar of their engines and their impressive length make this encounter memorable.

The next stop is Three Ways. What is there? Absolutely nothing, except for a petrol station! To us, it serves as a stark reminder of the vastness of the Outback. However, for the Warumungu people, who are the traditional custodians of Three Ways and the broader Tennant Creek area, custodianship involves the responsibility to care for the land, maintain cultural knowledge, and pass on Dreaming stories.

The drive from Three Ways to Barkly Homestead is a journey through seemingly endless plains. The landscape is flat, and the horizon stretches out in all directions. It's a place where you can truly appreciate the sheer scale of the Australian Outback. The colours of the landscape, the sparse vegetation, and the clear blue sky create a unique and unforgettable panorama.

At last, a welcome sight! We stopped at the Barkly Homestead Outback Oasis, which claims to have the best hamburgers on the Barkly. It was the perfect opportunity to stretch our legs, refuel, and grab a bite to eat. And yes, it was definitely worth the hamburger stop.

While enjoying our burgers, we took a look at the local artifacts. The homestead  displays a rustic motorcycles, beautiful bougainvillea a cattle truck smoking den and other oddities. And then there is the magnificent sculpture of two goannas fighting, created by Claire Murphy.

Then we headed to Camooweal. As we drove along, rainbows appeared and vanished! Rainbows accompanied us on the side, while a few others beckoned us forward into the vast expanse of land and sky. The Rainbow Serpent is a life-giver and law-maker associated with the creation of waterholes, creeks, and underground springs, as well as initiation, fertility, rain, thunder, lightning, and change.

Knowing that the Rainbow Serpent is a living presence, not a myth, and with the vastness of the landscape and rainbows guiding our way, the drive became even more spectacular.

There were eagles, kites, kangaroos, cattle, and sheep to spot along the way. A highlight of the trip was being welcomed by the famous Camooweal roo sculpture with buffalo horns. It was a fantastic drive, and the culturally rich atmosphere and art in the Outback made the hot journey truly enjoyable. Time to fill up and next stop Mt Isa.

As we approached Mount Isa, the landscape transformed from flat terrain to rolling hills. Entering the city at night, we were greeted by the grand chimney, a towering structure that dominates the skyline. This impressive chimney serves as a striking symbol of Australia's prominence in the global mining industry and evokes reflections on the country's mining heritage. Mount Isa truly is an iconic Australian destination.

The final stretch of our drive from Mount Isa to Cloncurry is quite exhilarating. As we departed from Mount Isa, the weather took a dramatic turn. The smooth highway soon transitioned into a winding road, which tested our driving skills. Rain began to pour, blurring our visibility and making the road conditions treacherous.  

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, our headlights cutting through the darkness.  Road flooding signs pointed to a common danger in the Outback during heavy rains.  Every creek had become a caution as the storm clouds amassed. Driving through the tempest came with exhilaration as we pushed on towards Cloncurry.  

As we arrived, the rain began to ease. 13 hours later, we were welcomed by Cloncurry. 

Day One: Travel Australia Darwin to Daly Waters

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